by Arif, age 9 from Dhaka, Bangladesh, asks Santa about Christmas games, the Buriganga River, and Christmas as a holiday in Bangladesh.
Dear Santa, my name is Arif, and I am nine years old. I live in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where my dadu says our whole city sits on a river so busy with boats that it looks like a floating traffic jam every single day.
Dear Arif, a floating traffic jam sounds like exactly my kind of challenge, and I will admit the sleigh has navigated worse.
Santa, I have three questions.
Do you play Christmas games? My friend at school taught me one where you pass a present around while music plays.
I do play games, Arif, and that passing game sounds like a wonderful bit of chaos in the best way. Mrs. Claus usually wins ours, though I suspect the elves let her win on purpose.
My teacher says Dhaka sits on a river called the Buriganga. Is that true?
It is true, Arif, the Buriganga River runs right along your city, part of one of the largest river deltas in the whole world. I always follow its winding path to find my way to your rooftop among all that boat traffic.
My dadu says most people in Bangladesh are Muslim, but Christmas Day is still an official holiday here. Is that true?
It is true, Arif. Bangladesh is home to a small Christian community, and Christmas Day, sometimes called Bodrin, is recognized as a public holiday there, celebrated warmly even by neighbors of other faiths. That kind of shared respect between neighbors is really the best gift any community can give itself.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Arif Rahman
Dhaka, Bangladesh
P.S. Can you teach the elves my friend’s present-passing game?
I will introduce it at the next workshop party, Arif, though I predict Mrs. Claus wins that one too.
